Figure 13.

Ferroptosis. Iron (Fe²⁺) is transported into cells by transferrin, where it can catalyze the oxidation of lipids by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the cell to form toxic lipid peroxides. System Xc⁻ imports cystine (exporting glutamate), which is converted to cysteine and used in the generation of glutathione. The enzyme GPX4 reduces lipid peroxides but requires glutathione to regenerate its reducing potential. Disruption of System Xc⁻, glutathione synthesis, or GPX4 function can therefore result in ferroptosis.